The Red Sox optioned Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
After joining the rotation in mid-August as a replacement for James Paxton (calf) and covering at least three innings in each of his six ensuing outings, Criswell had worked out of the bullpen for his last two appearances, giving up a total of three runs (two earned) over two innings. With Richard Fitts overtaking him as the Red Sox's No. 5 starter and with Luis Garcia (elbow) returning from the injured list, Criswell will end up as an odd man out on the 28-man active roster. The 28-year-old righty owns a 4.08 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 99.1 innings with the Red Sox on the season.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Strong showing in no-decision
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Criswell did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Yankees. He gave up one run on four hits and three walks while striking out four across 5.1 innings.
Criswell gave up a leadoff home run to Gleyber Torres but settled in nicely after that to pitch into the sixth inning. Criswell was removed from the rotation shortly after the All-Star break and then spent some time on the COVID-19 IL in August, but he's now back in the rotation for the final weeks of the campaign. The 28-year-old has a 3.98 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 97.1 innings in his first season with the Red Sox.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Pulled after four perfect frames
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Criswell did not factor into the decision Sunday, tossing four perfect innings while striking out five against the Tigers.
Criswell needed just 52 pitches to complete four perfect frames but was then given the quick hook in favor of Rich Hill with two left-handed batters set to open the fifth. Criswell added five strikeouts, which was the most he's recorded since the middle of June in what was clearly his most effective outing of the season. The 28-year-old righty has seen his workload managed recently, not completing more than five innings in any outing since July 23, though he did pitch into the fifth two starts ago and had tossed between 72 and 80 pitches in each of his last three outings. Criswell lines up to make his next start against the White Sox in Fenway, though it's tough to trust him in fantasy lineups considering the likelihood that he'll remain on a short leash.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Early exit Tuesday
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Criswell came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.
He needed 72 pitches (46 strikes) to record 10 outs, and Criswell benefitted from some sloppy baserunning by Toronto just to do that well. The right-hander has thrown more than 70 pitches in three straight outings but has failed to last five innings in any of them, posting a 6.35 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and 5:8 K:BB in 11.1 frames over that rough stretch. The Red Sox have fallen four games back of the Twins for the final wild-card spot in the AL, and Criswell could have a very short leash in the rotation as a result. He currently lines up to make his next start on the road this weekend in Detroit.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Stumbles into win in bulk role
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Criswell (5-4) picked up the win Friday's 12-10 victory over the Orioles, allowing six runs on nine hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.
The Boston right-hander returned from the COVID-19 injured list and operated as a bulk reliever behind opener Brennan Bernardino. Criswell was roughed up by a stellar Orioles lineup and needed 79 pitches to record his 10 outs. Criswell can thank his offense for their generous run support, as he notched his sixth career win despite allowing a season-high 13 baserunners. With this six-run performance, his ERA rose more than half a run from 4.02 to 4.56. Criswell should make his next appearance against the Astros on the road next week, either as a bulk reliever or starter.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Expected to pitch Friday
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Criswell (illness) is expected to be ready to return from the COVID-19 injured list to make a start or bulk-relief appearance Friday in Baltimore, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Friday is the first day he's eligible for activation from the COVID-19 IL. Criswell is poised to serve as the Red Sox's No. 5 starter indefinitely after James Paxton recently sustained a likely season-ending calf injury. The 28-year-old Criswell holds a 4.02 ERA and 56:17 K:BB over 71.2 innings in a swingman role for Boston this season.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Could need more than seven days
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Criswell (illness) might not be ready for activation Friday, when he's first eligible to return from his seven-day stay on the COVID-19 injured list, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Criswell has dealt with some significant symptoms while on the COVID-19 IL, and while the Red Sox are hopeful that he can start Friday in Baltimore in place of James Paxton (calf), he sounds like he might need a bit more time to recover. Josh Winckowski would be a candidate to take the ball for Boston on Friday if Criswell isn't ready.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Moving to bullpen
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Criswell will shift to the bullpen following the team's recent acquisition of James Paxton, who will take over as the club's No. 5 starter, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Despite delivering his best start of the season in Tuesday's 6-0 win in Colorado -- he struck out four and allowed six baserunners over seven shutout innings -- Criswell will be the odd man out of the rotation as the Red Sox make room for Paxton. Criswel was available to pitch relief Saturday but wasn't used in the Red Sox's 11-8 extra-inning loss to the Yankees. According to Cora, Criswell will be used in higher-leverage spots as well as long relief, depending on how fresh his arm is.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Starting Friday
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The Red Sox recalled Criswell from Triple-A Worcester to start Friday's game against the Royals, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Criswell made 11 starts with the Red Sox earlier this season, but he's spent the better part of a month at Triple-A after being optioned June 18. However, with Josh Winckowski moving to the bullpen, Boston opted to bring Criswell back up to fill a rotation spot. Criswell has a 4.15 ERA and a 49:13 K:BB across 52.0 innings with the Red Sox this season.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Option to start Friday
Rotowire
Criswell could be recalled from Triple-A Worcester to start Friday against the Athletics, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Josh Winckowski is being shifted to the bullpen, creating an opening. Criswell struck out eight and allowed just one hit over six shutout innings in his last start for Worcester and would be on five days' rest Friday. Boston could also opt for a bullpen game versus Oakland.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Red Sox optioned Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Criswell will give up his active roster spot to Chris Martin (personal), who's being activated from the 15-day IL. Criswell posted a 4.15 ERA across 52.0 innings with Boston and should be one of the first options the Red Sox look at if a starter were to get injured.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Lasts four innings Saturday
Rotowire
Criswell allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over four innings in a no-decision versus the Yankees on Saturday.
The Red Sox jumped out to a quick lead, but Criswell didn't pitch deep enough to qualify for the win. He needed 88 pitches (55 strikes) to complete his four frames, making this the seventh time in 12 appearances (11 starts) he's failed to complete five innings. The 27-year-old has a 4.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 49:13 K:BB over 52 innings this season. Criswell is tentatively projected to make his next appearance on the road versus the Reds.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Falls to 3-3
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Criswell (3-3) yielded four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday, striking out two and taking a loss against the White Sox.
Criswell gave up one run through three frames before the White Sox plated three runs in the fourth inning. It was the third time in his last five outings that he's failed to complete at least five innings. During that stretch, he's posted a 6.45 ERA, driving his season number up to 4.13. Criswell is currently in line for a home matchup against the Yankees next week.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Fans nine in no-decision
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Criswell did not factor into the decision Saturday versus the Nationals, permitting two runs on three hits and a walk over five frames. He struck out nine.
Criswell was dinged by a couple solo home runs; one in the second inning by Joey Meneses and another in the fourth hit by Eddie Rosario. Aside from that, Criswell yielded only one other hit, and his nine punchouts were a career high. Criswell was pulled after five with his pitch count at just 79, as the Red Sox are continuing to keep a close eye on his workload as he transitions from the bullpen (he hasn't thrown more than 83 pitches in a start and has yet to record an out beyond the fifth inning). He's been awfully effective when on the bump, though, with his ERA actually going up to 2.10 after Saturday's outing. Criswell is slated to face his former club, the Rays, his next time out.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Effective against Minnesota
Rotowire
Criswell pitched 4.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits and a walk while striking out five batters in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.
Criswell was once again effective Sunday, limiting the damage against him to just a solo home run by Ryan Jeffers in the bottom of the third inning. The right-hander allowed a double to Carlos Santana to open the bottom of the fifth inning and was ultimately removed from the game after getting Jose Miranda to pop out in the following at-bat, which prevented him from qualifying for the win. Criswell now owns a 1.74 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 20.2 innings in five appearances this season, including four starts. He is tentatively set to return to the mound Saturday at home versus the Nationals.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Sharp in first win
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Criswell (1-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Guardians, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings.
Criswell was impressive in his second start this year, as he held the Guardians scoreless through five innings while throwing just 72 pitches en route to his first victory. The 27-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 2.38 on the season with a 1.15 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB across 11.1 innings. The Red Sox will likely continue to stretch out Criswell as a starter with Brayan Bello (lat), Nick Pivetta (elbow) and Garrett Whitlock (oblique) all on the IL. Criswell is currently lined up for a home matchup with the Giants early next week.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Set to start Wednesday
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Criswell will draw the start Wednesday against the Guardians, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Criswell is set to make his second start of the season Wednesday, entering the contest with a 4.26 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with four strikeouts over 6.1 innings over two appearances in 2024. The right-hander pitched four innings and allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four batters in his only start of the season, April 13 versus the Angels.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Optioned to Triple-A
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The Red Sox optioned Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.
Criswell put his best foot forward in competing for a rotation spot this spring, collecting a 2.95 ERA and 17:3 K:BB across 18.1 innings of work. However, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock also pitched well and they were ultimately given the fourth and fifth slots. Criswell will stay stretched out in Worcester's rotation.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Works four scoreless
Rotowire
Criswell allowed two hits and struck out four over four scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against Baltimore.
Criswell emerged as a starting candidate following Lucas Giolito's elbow injury and made his fourth Grapefruit League start Thursday. The right-hander has a 3.14 ERA with 13 strikeouts and two walks across 14.1 innings in his four starts and sports a 2.95 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 18.1 innings overall.
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Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Sharp in start
Rotowire
Criswell allowed two hits and struck out four over 3.2 scoreless innings in Monday's spring start against Pittsburgh.
Criswell was added to the rotation competition after an elbow injury to Lucas Giolito will require him to undergo surgery Tuesday. "We see [Criswell] as a starter until he's not," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "Whatever decision we make, I'm intrigued." With two open rotation spots following Giolito's injury, Criswell joins a mix that includes Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski. Criswell had a 5.97 ERA over 12 games with the Angels and Rays from 2021-23, but the Red Sox felt he could benefit from a personalized plan for improvement, which included changing the grip on his slider and improving his fastball. The right-hander has allowed four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 10.1 spring innings.
